Area residents mobilize to help Okla. tornado victims

The aftermath of the devastating tornado that hit Moore, Okla., Monday afternoon has left the nation stunned, but local families are already reaching out to help those affected.

The storm that left 24 dead, caused $2 billion in damage, and left 12,000 homes destroyed will take a long time to clean up. But Patti Marcus, of Gilbertsville, and children of the Roberts family, of Royersford, are starting efforts to help survivors.

As Marcus sat watching the news on the night of the storm, she said that she was astounded by the coverage of students running out of Plaza Towers Elementary School, where seven students died from the storm.

“I have three kids of my own, so I was sitting there watching these kids run out of the school and locate their parents and watching parents find their kids,” said Marcus. “And then I saw a couple of parents just standing there and a couple of kids just standing there. And I thought, oh my god. How do you even breathe? Then it was the general thought, what can I do to help?”

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She decided she had to do something, so she started Operation FILL THE GARAGE. Marcus will collect enough supplies to fill her garage, and then drive them to Oklahoma to donate to victims of the storm.

Marcus is asking for basic supplies, like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, deodorant, feminine products, hair care products, underwear, socks, bedding, and pillows. She said that in the future, she also wants to donate clothing and furnishings.

“It’s my goal to get companies and people to donate basic things that these people need right now,” said Marcus. “Little things that humanize them so they can feel their own.”

Marcus will leave on June 27, but her goal is to fill her garage by June 20.

She has reached out to local authorities, who will be waiting for her to help unload materials when she arrives in Moore. She has also reached out to friends residing in Texas who used to live in Moore. They are going to meet up in Oklahoma, unload the truck, and then work with her in cleanup efforts.

“I’m going down with a pair of boots and gloves,” said Marcus. “We are going to dig in where we can… It’s a little crazy; I don’t know what to expect. But we are going to help where we can.”

Marcus said that she is inspired in part by her brother-in-law, the fire chief of Woodward County, Oklahoma, who lost his house in 1999 to a tornado in Moore. Last May, he again lost his house to a deadly tornado. Right now, he is acting as a first responder in Moore.

“I just think it’s amazing to see them bounce back again and again,” said Marcus. “I think it’s the least we can do to help out a bit.”

Marcus said that she has been trying to spread the word through Facebook and friends. She can be contacted through email (majakal1@comcast.net) before dropping items off at her house. There will be an additional drop-off station at Freed’s Supermarket on 2024 Swamp Pike in Gilbertsville.

Marcus is not the only local who is trying to help Oklahoma victims rebuild their lives. Three girls of the Rodgers family — Samie, Bella, and Lily- are holding a lemonade stand on Saturday and donating all proceeds to the Red Cross Disaster Relief fund.

This is the girls’ third lemonade stand for charity. In the past, they have given proceeds to the Susan G. Komen 3-day Walk for the Cure in Atlanta in honor of a family member. After the devastation in Oklahoma, they decided to switch their fundraising recipient this time around.

The girls, who call the stand, “The Lemonistas,” are looking forward to Saturday’s sale. Cups of lemonade, chocolate chip cookies and patriotic cupcakes will all be sold at 50 cents each.

“I feel it’s important for our children to learn to give back to the community,” said Jamie Roberts, mother of two of the girls, in an online statement. “Their time is the most precious contribution they can make to society.”